Rural residence was associated with significantly higher global cardiovascular risk compared to urban residence, as assessed by SCORE2/-OP2 (8.5 vs 7.9; p<0.05) and PREVENT scores.
Cross-Sectional (n=1,851)
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Does rural living increase global cardiovascular risk compared to urban living in Croatian adults?
Rural populations in Croatia exhibit less favorable cardio-kidney-metabolic risk profiles, greater arterial stiffness, and elevated global cardiovascular risk compared to urban populations.
Tasa de eventos absoluta: 8.5% vs 7.9%
valor p: p=< 0.05
Objective: Rural populations experience notable health disparities resulting from socioecological factors, geographic isolation, restricted access to healthcare services, lower health literacy, increased prevalence of health risk behaviours, and dietary patterns. The aim of this study was to analyse inequities in health by assessing cardio-kidney-metabolic risk profiles, arterial stiffness (AS) and global cardiovascular risk (CVR) in rural population. Design and method: This cross-sectional analysis was conducted within the nationwide EH-UH 2 project and included a representative random sample of non-institutionalized adults aged >= 18 years. We analysed 816 subjects from the rural (38.9% men) and 1035 from the urban area (36.6% % men) with the same median age (59 years). Sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle behaviours and medical history were collected using a structured questionnaire. Standardized measurements of height and weight were obtained, body mass index (BMI) and body shape index (ABSI) were calculated. Blood pressure (BP) was measured following ESH guideline. ePWV, SCORE 2/-2OP, and PREVENT were calculated using recommended validated equations. Results: We failed to find differences in BP between rural and urban area. The rural population had higher visceral adiposity (p = 0.027), higher BMI and ABSI (p < 0.001 for both) with higher total cholesterol, LDL, non-HDL, remnant cholesterol and triglyceride (all p < 0.001). Villagers had higher albumin–creatinine ratio (p < 0.001), serum uric acid (p = 0.006), and urate-to-creatinine ratio (p < 0.001). Rural population ingested more salt (p < 0.001) and had a higher sodium-to-potassium ratio (p < 0.001). Villagers showed higher arterial stiffness assessed by ePWV (9.9 vs. 9.5, p = 0.02) and PWV measured by Mobil-O-Graph (8.4 vs. 8.3, p = 0.019). On average, compared to urban population, villagers had significantly higher global CV risk assessed with SCORE2/-OP2 (8.5 (IQR 4.5-15.1) vs.7.9 (IQR 3.6-13.3); p < 0.05) and PREVEVENT (7.9 (IQR 33.4-14.4) vs. 6.6 (IQR 2.7-13.0); p < 0.01). Conclusions: Rural populations demonstrated less favourable CKM risk profiles, greater arterial stiffness, and elevated overall global cardiovascular risk. Our results should be considered by health authorities to improve prevention efforts in rural communities.
Marcic et al. (Fri,) conducted a cross-sectional in Cardiovascular risk (n=1,851). Rural residence vs. Urban residence was evaluated on Global cardiovascular risk assessed with SCORE2/-OP2 (p=< 0.05). Rural residence was associated with significantly higher global cardiovascular risk compared to urban residence, as assessed by SCORE2/-OP2 (8.5 vs 7.9; p<0.05) and PREVENT scores.